Chapter 88: Reactions Across the Lands
Everyone in that bustling inn now wanted to be like the man who'd just shared his "shocking revelation."
They yearned to deliver equally stunning news, to see the look of disbelief on others' faces—
that rush of superiority was intoxicating.
"Clack!"
The sound of chopsticks hitting the table echoed sharply. Flameyang Douluo's expression darkened. "Second Brother, could someone have discovered us?"
Qingyang Douluo's face turned grave. "Impossible. Everyone we've encountered along the way, I've eliminated.
Unless… unless this person is also a Titled Douluo, adept at concealment—that's the only way they could've escaped my notice."
Flameyang Douluo's face twisted in frustration. Someone had clearly spied on him while he absorbed his spirit ring—
and now the secret strength of the Clear Sky Sect had been exposed to the world.
A cruel gleam appeared in his eyes, black energy flaring around him.
"Second Brother, let's wipe this town out! If no one lives, the news dies here!"
He rose suddenly, spirit power surging.
"Sit down!" Qingyang Douluo barked.
"If our enemy knew of us and leaked the news, it's already spread far beyond this one town.
I'm afraid every settlement around Star Dou Forest is probably already buzzing with it!"
He was right. Elder Snake, an old trickster at heart, knew exactly how to spark curiosity among spirit masters.
Every town he'd visited, he'd gone straight to the busiest places to spread the story.
By now, it had achieved self-sustaining momentum, propagating with no traceable source.
Realizing this, Flameyang Douluo clenched his fists and reluctantly sat down again.
"Let's move. We'll check the other towns ourselves."
Abandoning their meal, the two smashed through the window and soared off into the sky.
Circling Star Dou Forest, they quickly realized Qingyang's fears were true—
every supply town was already abuzz with talk of the Clear Sky Sect.
"Back to the sect. Inform the master—prepare for defense!" Qingyang commanded, and both streaked toward the mountains like twin meteors.
At the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect—
The first to receive the news were they, thanks to their immense merchant network spanning the entire continent.
Their trade houses and supply posts dotted every town along Star Dou Forest's perimeter.
No wonder Ning Rongrong had once joked, "Of the continent's ten measures of wealth, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect holds one."
From those frontier branches, the rumor swiftly landed on Sect Master Ning Fengzhi's desk.
Ning Fengzhi's expression darkened immediately. He sent for Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo without delay.
"Uncle Jian, Uncle Gu—what do you think? Could these rumors be true?"
Both men pondered in silence for a moment after hearing the report.
"Has there been any noticeable increase in the Clear Sky Sect's supply orders?" Bone Douluo asked first.
Though the Clear Sky Sect lived in isolation, they couldn't produce all they needed.
Even secluded sects required ample resources—especially meat.
Warrior-type spirit masters couldn't survive on vegetables alone.
And their primary supplier? The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
"They do order more each year," Ning Fengzhi replied, "but it's steady growth—nothing extreme. Still, given that many years have passed, their population has certainly increased."
Sword Douluo folded his arms calmly.
"The Hall killed their old sect master, and they sealed themselves off afterward. Everyone there has been nursing hatred and training in silence.
Originally, seven elders remained—five survived. All five possessed the potential to reach Titled Douluo."
Ning Fengzhi's eyes widened. "So Uncle Jian thinks it's true? The Clear Sky Sect now has—seven Titled Douluo?"
He felt a pang in his chest.
After all these years, his own sect hadn't gained a single new Titled Douluo—yet the Clear Sky Sect might have five more.
"Maybe seven is an exaggeration," Sword Douluo said evenly, "but eventually, yes—they'll reach it. As long as they train in peace, it's inevitable."
Ning Fengzhi sighed in defeat. "Ever since the Clear Sky Sect sealed itself, I thought we were the foremost of the top three sects.
Seems I was arrogant."
"Fengzhi," Bone Douluo warned, "we should reconsider our partnership. The Clear Sky Sect's growing strength makes them unpredictable.
All these years, they've hidden their true state from us."
"Still," Ning Fengzhi countered quietly, "with Spirit Hall's power rising, having a force like the Clear Sky Sect prospering may yet be a blessing for the continent.
But we must stay alert to Spirit Hall's next move—and to whoever spread this rumor. Was it Spirit Hall trying to build momentum for a strike?
Or another hidden hand sowing chaos across the land?"
He shook his head. "The world grows more turbulent by the day."
If the rumor truly had been released intentionally, then the hidden party bore clear hostility toward the Clear Sky Sect. But who could that be?
Ning Fengzhi couldn't yet discern the answer.
"Fengzhi," Bone Douluo said suddenly, "leave these matters to us. For now, I'm going to Soto City to see Rongrong—make sure she's well."
"Uncle Gu," Ning Fengzhi cautioned, "do so quietly. Don't let her know you came. Rongrong's talent surpasses even mine; she may one day overcome the limitations of our sect's martial soul."
He smiled wryly. These two treated his daughter with more affection than he did.
"Fengzhi," Sword Douluo said thoughtfully, "sending Rongrong to Heaven Dou's junior academy was your best decision yet.
Since she met Dugu Feng, her cultivation's improved remarkably. She's far more focused now."
"I agree," Bone Douluo added. "I'll check in and return promptly—and keep this old man from spoiling her in the meantime!"
"Hahaha, competition breeds excellence. If she'd stayed here, surrounded by us doting old folks, she'd never grow.
Let's hope Flender teaches her well," Ning Fengzhi said, smiling now.
In his heart lay steadfast faith in his daughter—her destiny was to break the shackles of their clan's martial soul.
Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo flashed away, vanishing from sight.
Ning Fengzhi, left alone, mulled over the looming unrest across the continent.
In the Spirit City—on the sacred grounds of Pope Hill.
Within the protection of the cathedral knights' shining blades stood the grandest structure of all—the Pope's Hall.
Behind its vast bronze doors lay the thousand-square-meter audience chamber.
Nine marble steps rose toward the main seat, encircled by four golden pillars.
Upon that throne sat Bibi Dong, her black gown flowing across the steps, its gold embroidery gleaming under torchlight.
A blood-red crown adorned her head, its gems glinting like drops of fresh blood, exuding an aura of oppressive magnificence.
Her flawless porcelain features were ethereal, her expression regal and coldly divine. None who beheld her could resist bowing in reverence.
But in her violet eyes, there burned a lethal chill—a fury so deep it manifested as serene calm.
Before her knelt her two trusted lieutenants—Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo—heads lowered, not daring to breathe too loudly.
They had just finished reporting the rumors about the Clear Sky Sect.
"Eleven years… and the Clear Sky Sect's people have been absorbing spirit rings all this time.
Not one of our Spirit Hall branches noticed?"
Bibi Dong's tone was quiet—but that very calmness betrayed her wrath.
She was truly enraged.
(END CHAPTER)
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